Device for controlling and registering the issue of checks or passes in theaters.



PATENTED SEPT. 19, 1005.

R. G. EOTHERGILL. DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AND REGISTERING THE ISSUE OF CHECKS 0R PASSES IN THEATERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.3.190.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W (Zuni-MW) 6%) ZLMfLHa/Vk hum/s PATENTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

R. G. POTHERGILL.

OR PASSES IN THEATERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3, 1904.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AND REGISTERING THE ISSUE OF CHECKS I I l l I l I I I I I l I I I 1 1 I r l l l section through the apparatus.

I UNITED STATES PATENT FFIQE.

ROBERT GRAHAM FOTHERG ILL, OF TEh'lPLE, EUGLAN D.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AND REGISTERING THE ISSUE OF CHECKS OR PASSES IN THEATERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1905.

Application filed November 8, 1904. Serial No. 231,236.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT GRAHAM FoTI-r.- ERGILL, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of 3 Brick Court, Temple, in the county of Middlesex, England, have invented a new and useful Device for Controlling and Registering the Issue of Checks or Passes in Theaters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved device or apparatus by which the checks or passes ordinarily given in exchange for the money paid for the admission for instance, to a theater or other place of amusement---are delivered to the persons entitled to them one by one in succession, while the number of checks or passes so issued is automatically recorded; and the objects of my improvements are, first, to deliver a check or pass to each person paying the proper amount for it; second, to register the number of checks or passes -so delivered; third, to insure the proper correspondence between the amount of money received and the number of checks or passes issued. 1 attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the back of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse Fig. 3 is a top view, on a larger scale, of one of the checks or passes to be delivered to the persons paying for them. Fig. 4 is a view from above of the delivering-slide. Fig. 5 is a view from below of the plate which covers the delivering-slide.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

It is to be understood. that the apparatus is only available for delivering checks or passes serving to admit the holders to seats or positions for each of which the same amount of money has been paid, so that a separate apparatus will be required for delivering the checks at each place where a different specified sum has to be paid.

a is a frame fitted and fixed upon the base or foundation 5 in the front of the box or office occupied by the attendant who receives the money.

0 is an opening shown closed below by a series of openings (Z sufliciently large to take through them the largest coin which can be used, but not large enough to allow the checks or passes which are to be delivered to pass through them. The upper part of the opening 0 is shown closed by wire-netting (2 of sufficiently small mesh, and f is a window in the upper part of the front a. In front of the openings (Z is a ledge or counter at g to receive the money passed in from the other side of the openings by the persons purchasing checks.

Upon the base 7) of the apparatus, adjoining the opening 0, but situated farther back from the front of the apparatus, is a strong box or case A, fixed upon a bottom support vi on the base I). Upon the open top of the box it is fixed a plate 7', provided with longitudinal guides Z K" at right angles to the back of the apparatus, in which slides freely a sliding plate 7, which is kept in its position by a covering-plate in, between which and the plate a slit is left at the back through which the end of the sliding plate /projects. This projecting end is formed with pins 02., Fig. l, which serve as a hinge upon which the upper end of the vertical arm 0 of a bell-crank lever is hinged, which turns upon a horizontal pivot 17, carried in brackets 1*, fixed upon the base or support 21. The horizontal arm s of the bell-crank 1) has its upper side formed as a thumb-piece by which it can be depressed by the attendant who receives the money and issues the corresponding checks, and it is pressed up by a spring 15. Two vertical parallel guides at u are firmly fixed at their lower ends upon the top of the box it, and from their upper end is suspended freely by a pin a: a straight bar w, triangular in section, the lower end of which hangs down nearly to the top of the sliding plate and upon it are arranged one above the other, so as to slide freely upon it, a sufficient number of thin triangular plates rr, (shown in plan on a larger scale in Fig. 3), having through them a triangular hole 3 through which the bar wpasses. The covering-plate m also has through it a triangular hole 1 through which one or more of the checks in drop freely, and the sliding plate Z also has a corresponding holes, into which the lowest check drops when the sliding plate is pushed into its normal position by the spring 25. The fixed plate 1', which covers the top of the box ll, also has a similar triangular hole A through it, upon the edge of which the lowest check rests in the normal position of the sliding plate Z, the hole A being somewhat nearer the back of the apparatus than that through the upper plate m. When, however, the sliding plate Z is drawn out by depressing the arm s of the bell-crank p, the lowest check is drawn forward until it drops through the hole A in the plate j and falls into the recess B in the box it. The bottom of this recess is inclined down, as shown in dotted lines at C, Fig. 1, so that the check passes down it and through an opening D, Fig. 1, and is delivered upon or into a receiving plate or holder E of any suitable shape, from which it is removed by the person who has paid the money. The checks :1; instead of being triangular maybe of circular or any other desired shape, of such size that they cannot pass through the openings (Z.

Upon the upper side of the covering-plate m, which covers the box it, is formed a dovetailed groove in which slides parallel with the sliding plate Z a small sliding piece having a downward projection F, which passes down through notches M M and is moved forward by the edge of the lowest check when the latter is moved out by the sliding plate and is returned to its place by a spring G, carried on the plate on when the sliding plate is returned, and this sliding plateF has a vertical groove or recess H on its upper surface, into which fits freely a crank-pin l at the end of an oscillating arm J, which as it oscillates operates a counting device K of any of the wellknown kinds, by which the number of oscillations, and consequently the number of checks delivered, are counted and registered. This counting device K is shown fitting stifily into a horizontal dovetailed guide L, so that it can be readily removed and replaced or changed when desired, and the act of withdrawing it may release a stop which prevents any further delivery of checks until it is replaced. The counting device and the parts connected with it are inclosed and locked in a cover. (Not shown in the figures.) When the pile of checks is exhausted, the bar 10 can be readily lifted out and a fresh one filled with fresh checks substituted for it. The upper edge of the hole through the sliding plate Z is shown slightly beveled.

The external shape of the apparatus may be varied as desired.

The bar 10 is shown triangular in section; but it may be of any other section. I

In a modification of the check-issuing device the thumb-piece s and bell-crank 19 may be omitted and the sliding plate Z may be drawn out when required by the attendant by means of a handle upon its outer edge and returned by a spring when released.

1 am aware that prior to my invention check controlling and registering devices have been used in which checks are issued in exchange for money, and I do not claim such devices broadly; but

WVhatI claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a check issuing and registering device, of a frame (Z having openings g large enough for the coin paid for a check or pass to be handed in, but not large enough for the checks themselves to pass through, the box it, cover 1, with hole A to receive and fit the checks, cover m having a similar hole y situated a short distance in advance of the hole A in plate Z, guides Z7, Z below plate 7', sliding plate Z between j and m, hole through sliding plate Z to receive and fit the checks, vertical guides w, a, thin checks or passes 01 piled between guides mu, holes g through checks 0, bar 20 suspended from top of guides u, u and fitting freely in holes 3 bell-crank p pivoted at 9, pins '12., '22, jointing sliding plate Z to vertical arm 0 of bell-crank 1), horizontal arm or thumb-piece s of bell-crank 1), spring 6 raising thumb-piece s, and bringing back sliding plate Z under the pile of checks 05 after it has been withdrawn by pressure on the thumb-piece s, inclined space B, into which the check passes after falling through the sliding plate Z, opening D, through which the check is delivered upon the receiving-plate E, all substantially as set forth.

2. In acheck issuing and registering device, the combination with 4 plates 7' and 9/), having holes through them fitting the checks or passes used, the hole in the upper plate m being in.

advance of the hole in the lower plate 7', a sliding plate Z having a similar hole through it and movable endwise by pressure upon the thumb-piece 8 until the hole 2 through it, which normally corresponds with the hole in the upper plate m corresponds with the hole A through the lower plate j, and spring Z, the registering device consisting of the sliding piece having downward projection F with which the check in the slide Z comes in contact, notches or recesses M, spring G, vertical groove or recess H, pin I on arm J, which operates a counting device K, by which the number of oscillations are counted and registered, all substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a device of the class described, of plates 7' and m having holes through them fitting the checks or passes used, the hole in the upper plate m being in advance of the hole in the lower plate 7, a sliding plate Zhaving a similar hole through it, a handle on said plate Z for moving the same outwardly and a spring for returning said plate when the handle is released.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

W'itnesses:

ARTHUR E. EDWARD, ALFRED T. BRATTON. 

